Simple Doritos Taco Salad (Printable)
Crunchy Tex-Mex salad with seasoned beef, cheddar, black beans, corn and crushed Doritos — ready in 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound ground beef
→ Seasonings
02 - 1 packet (about 1 ounce) taco seasoning
03 - 1/4 cup water
→ Vegetables
04 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
08 - 1 cup canned corn, drained
→ Cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
→ Chips
10 - 2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, slightly crushed
→ Dressing
11 - 1/2 cup ranch dressing or Catalina dressing
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef while breaking it apart with a spoon or spatula until fully browned. Drain off any excess fat.
02 - Add taco seasoning and water to the browned beef. Stir well and allow the mixture to simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.
03 - In a large salad bowl, add chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, black beans, corn, and shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Gently fold the slightly cooled taco beef into the salad ingredients, distributing it evenly.
05 - Just before serving, add crushed Doritos and your preferred dressing. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
06 - Divide the salad among plates and serve at once while the chips maintain their crunch.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It goes from fridge to table in under half an hour—so fast, hardly anyone has time to get hangry.
- The flavors and textures are playful enough that even picky eaters usually go back for seconds.
02 -
- If you add the Doritos too early, they’ll go soft before anyone sits down—I learned the hard way after a long phone call distracted me.
- Chilling the lettuce and veggies in advance keeps the salad ultra crisp, even when the beef is warm.
03 -
- If making ahead, keep hot and cold components separate and combine just before serving for best texture.
- For parties, set up a build-your-own bar with toppings and sauces—nobody says no to taco salad their way.